Disney Preps Live-Action Cruella de Vil Film (Exclusive)

UPDATED: The writer for the studio's live-action "Cinderella" has been hired to pen the script for what is being titled "Cruella."

After making a movie centered on Maleficent, the villainess from Sleeping Beauty, Disney is setting its sights on another bad lady: Cruella de Vil.

Aline Brosh McKenna has been hired to pen Cruella, which will bring the dog-fur-loving fashionista from 101 Dalmatians into a live-action feature to be produced by Andrew Gunn, who produced Sky High and Bedtime Stories for the studio. McKenna will also produce.

De Vil first appeared in Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians but became a Disney icon with the 1961 animated movie. And it's not the character's first incarnation in a live-action feature. Glenn Close memorably played the character in 1996's 101 Dalmatians and the 2000 sequel, 102 Dalmatians.

In fact, Close is in involved with Cruella, acting as an executive producer.

Sadly, the studio is keeping its latest take on the character locked in the dog pound.

Cruella would be Disney's latest live-action take on one of its classic animated films. In addition to Alice and Maleficent, Disney is making Cinderella, which just began principal photography with Kenneth Branagh in the director's chair.

McKenna already worked for Disney by penning the Cinderella script. The screenwriter, who may be best-known for adapting The Devil Wears Prada, also worked on Annie, which is now casting.